It’s little wonder that the area of menopause health is a growing area for focus when a commonly Googled question is ‘What are the 34 symptoms of menopause?’ When you start to research, many people are surprised that there are so many symptoms and some of them are not widely known. In this blog, we will explore 5 of the symptoms of menopause which can often be overlooked by caregivers and women themselves.
So, what are the 34 symptoms of menopause?
According to the London PMS and Menopause Clinic, there are 34 symptoms of menopause that are officially recognised by medics due to ongoing research.
1. Hot flushes
2. Night sweats
3. Irregular periods
4. Mood swings
5. Vaginal dryness
6. Decreased libido
7. Headaches
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8. Breast soreness
9. Burning mouth
10. Joint pain
11. Digestive problems
12. Electric shocks
13. Muscle tension
14. Gum problems
15. Tingling
16. Itchy skin
17. Fatigue
18. Disrupted sleep
19. Hair loss
20. Memory lapses
21. Poor concentration
22. Anxiety
23. Weight gain
24. Dizzy spells
25. Bloating
26. Stress incontinence
27. Brittle nails
28. Allergies
29. Irregular heartbeat
30. Body odour
31. Irritability
32. Depression
33. Panic disorder
34. Osteoporosis
(List compiled by The London PMS and Menopause Clinic)
Some of these symptoms are widely known and spoken about, such as hot flushes, night sweats and irregular periods. Others have had much less press and many women are not aware that what they are experiencing is a menopause symptom.
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5 symptoms of menopause that may surprise you:
1. Memory lapses
Fluctuating oestrogen levels can impact the brain, making it harder for you to remember the right word, memorise data and even recall what you went into a room to retrieve. Mild memory problems may be irritating but strategies such as note taking and having routines can help with this symptom. More pronounced memory issues are sometimes bad enough to cause women to leave their jobs or stop driving because they no longer feel capable. Changes to diet, exercise and managing stress can help with these issues.
2. Body odour
The body’s natural scent is affected by hormone levels so you may find that your odour alters during menopause and this can be distressing. This can sometimes be caused by the body’s inability to eliminate toxins due to sluggish digestion. Toxins are excreted via sweat glands causing an odour change.
3. Burning mouth
Burning Mouth Syndrome affects the tongue and the inside of the mouth and lips which experience burning, stinging or tingling sensations. It’s believed to be caused by oestrogen and other hormone imbalance and can affect up to 1 in 3 women. Some women also suffer from strange tastes, dry mouth and sensitivity to certain foods. There are a range of options including improving the diet to help manage symptoms.
4. Electric shocks
Electric shock sensations are felt throughout the body. These are due to inappropriate firing of neurons due to changing oestrogen levels and are often felt before or after a hot flush. This symptom is not dangerous, but it can feel rather unpleasant and can be relieved by addressing the hormone level fluctuations.
5. Allergies
As oestrogen levels drop this can impact the nervous system, causing the body to produce more histamine. Histamine is a protective substance but if the body is stressed it can produce excess and this can lead to allergy symptoms. Women can suddenly become allergic to things that have never been a problem before.
As with all menopause symptoms, there are many remedies and options which could help to alleviate some of the issues. Improving your nutrition can play a huge part in reducing problems such as allergies, weight gain, brittle nails, joint pain and digestive issues. It’s also possible that better diet and supplementation could reduce the severity of mental health related problems such as anxiety, depression and memory problems.
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If you would like support with any of the 34 symptoms of menopause, download my free guide to healthy happy hormones or email me at info@victoriabellnutrition.co.uk.